The 2025 MERCEDES GLS is still the “S-Class of SUVs” idea made practical for Australian life. It is a seven-seater that feels more like a first-class lounge than a family hauler, with a quiet diesel heart, long-haul comfort and tech that makes peak-hour traffic a little less painful. Size is generous, refinement is high, and if you need to carry a tribe and their gear, the 2025 Mercedes GLS interior has the space and calm to do it without drama. Dimensions are vast too, at roughly 5.21 m long, about 1.82 m tall and near two metres wide, so plan your parking accordingly.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Cabin comfort that feels business-class, even in row two.
- Diesel torque makes easy work of hills, trailers and school-run sprints.
- Tech suite is deep, from augmented-reality navigation to a premium audio system.
Cons
- Big footprint, tight underground carparks will test your patience.
- Pricing sits high before you tick many boxes.
- Some rivals feel sportier from behind the wheel.
How Much Does It Cost?
Australian pricing for the 2025 Mercedes GLS starts from $171,000 before on-road costs for the Edition 7, rising to $189,100 depending on specification. Warranty is five years with unlimited kilometres.
Features and Benefits
- Twin 12.3-inch screens with MBUX, augmented-reality navigation and quick voice control.
- Strong turbo diesel with mild-hybrid assist, 9-speed automatic and 4MATIC for easy overtakes and confident towing.
- Spacious seven-seat layout; generous second row, genuinely usable third row, flat load floor when folded.
- Premium audio, quality materials and calm cabin make long trips feel shorter.
- Driver assistance is comprehensive and operates smoothly in the background.
Safety
The 2025 Mercedes GLS safety features list is long: nine airbags, autonomous emergency braking with junction assist, pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane support, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise with stop-go and traffic-sign response. It operates like a quiet net, stepping in when you have missed something rather than taking over the trip.
Running Costs
Official combined fuel use for the diesel is 7.8 L/100 km, which is thrifty for something this big. Expect 9 to 10 L/100 km in mixed suburban use. Service intervals are every 12 months or 25,000 km, and Mercedes covers you with a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty. Tyres in this size are not cheap and neither are brakes, so budget wisely, but the mild-hybrid assistance helps keep day-to-day consumption sensible.
Comparison To Its Competitors
Against the BMW X7, the 2025 Mercedes GLS trades a little handling sharpness for a quieter, cushier ride. Compared with the Range Rover, the GLS brings stronger value and less theatre, which may suit buyers who prefer subtlety. The Lexus LX majors on rugged ability and long-term ownership peace, though its cabin tech feels older. Audi’s Q7 is smaller inside and focuses on driver feel rather than palatial space. If you want the most comfortable, tech-rich seven-seat luxury SUV that will happily crush the Hume without fuss, the 2025 Mercedes GLS remains right at the pointy end.
Conclusion
This is a large, expensive SUV that earns its keep. The 2025 MERCEDES GLS blends a serene cabin, thick diesel torque and smart tech into a package that makes the school run and long family drives feel easy. It is not the flashiest or the sportiest, yet it nails the brief most owners care about: comfort, quiet and capability. If your garage and budget fit, there is a lot to like here.
Rating: 8.7/10
The 2025 Mercedes GLS review lands on a high note for comfort, space and tech, with the diesel’s effortless performance the star. Pricing is ambitious and the sheer size can be a hassle in tight Aussie carparks, but as a full-size luxury seven-seater that feels calm and sorted, it is a standout.